I’m a 59-year-old recent retiree attempting a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. I live in Naperville, which is a suburb about 25 miles west of Chicago. After spending 35 years as an IT cubicle dweller, I felt the need to do something epic. A thru-hike of the AT seemed to be the ticket. I love the outdoors and physical activities. I’ve done several backpacking trips to locations including Glacier National Park, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, the Ozarks and the Porcupine Mountains. I have an amazingly supportive wife, adult children, and grandsons. You can also follow my journey on Instagram (@robonthetrek).